Turkish Court Says YouTube Ban Is Unconstitutional NYT > Turkey by By CEYLAN YEGINSU DISPATCHES FROM TURKEY: Popular Twitter User Receives 15 Months of Prison Bianet :: English E. P., the owner of popular twitter user “Allah CC?, has been convicted to 15 months of prison for ?overtly humiliating religious values accepted by a faction of the society?. … Read more
Making Sense of Turkey?s Foreign Policy MARC PIERINI It has become an understatement in Western diplomatic circles to say that Turkey?s foreign policy is becoming more difficult to understand. In the eyes of Turkey?s Western partners, Ankara frequently fluctuates on international issues, displays a distinct lack of consistency in dealing with its friends and … Read more
(22/10/2013) Multi-stakeholder consultations on a Guide on Human Rights for Internet Users The Council of Europe is working on a Guide on Human Rights for Internet Users, which aims at raising Internet users? awareness about human rights and fundamental freedoms online, providing a tool for people to use and rely upon when facing difficulties in the exercise of … Read more
MAIN FOCUS: EU discusses how to deal with refugees | 07/10/2013 In the wake of the Lampedusa disaster Europe is discussing its refugee policy. France wants to put the issue on the agenda of the EU summit at the end of October, and Tuesday’s meeting of EU interior ministers will also deal with the shipwreck tragedy. Commentators say … Read more
Police launch operations in Istanbul’s Gülsuyu after leftist protester killed in clashes One person was killed yesterday amid a fight between leftist groups and drug dealers in the Asian-side Istanbul neighborhood ************************ Recovering Turkey?s image will take time after Gezi protests, says Deputy PM The Gezi Park incidents seriously damaged Turkey?s image, Ali Babacan says … Read more
Individual Freedoms in Turkey MARC PIERINI Turkey?s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has witnessed economic success and launched major reforms, in particular writing a new constitution, negotiating with the Kurdistan Workers? Party, passing four judicial reform packages, and installing an ombudsman. In sharp contrast, the AKP?s exclusive reliance on its election victories for legitimacy … Read more
Booklet: Why You Should Care About ACTA 14 November, 2011 » Campaigns | Intellectual Property Enforcement The Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is a plurilateral agreement which proposes international standards for enforcement of intellectual property rights. The Agreement, negotiated by a handful of countries1 in coordination with certain parts of industry, is controversial in both process … Read more
Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu addresses party members at the Parliament in Ankara, Turkey, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012. Kilicdaroglu accused the judiciary of doing the government’s bidding after a prosecutor sought to lift his legal immunity, a step that would clear the way for him to be charged with insulting the … Read more
The Council of Europe denounces the burqa ban from Blogactiv by Protesilaos Stavrou On April 2011 and on July 2011, France and Belgium respectively passed legislation forbidding Muslim women from wearing the burqa, the traditional veil that fully covers their face, except their eyes. These decisions were based upon the claim of safeguarding public security, … Read more
France suspends three-strikes copyright law after massive data-leak by Cory Doctorow TMG, a private contractor that administers France’s HADOPI copyright system, has been hacked, resulting in a temporary suspension of HADOPI. Under HADOPI, people who use an Internet connection where one or more users have been accused of multiple acts of copyright infringement lose their … Read more
European Union Law: The 2010 Enlargement Progress Reports in a Nutshell from Bloggingportal.eu – Today’s posts The European Commission has presented its annual assessment of the European Union?s enlargement agenda. It comprises a 2010-2011 Strategy paper, the Opinions on the membership applications by Montenegro and Albania and seven Progress Reports on MAIN FOCUS: Berlusconi braves … Read more
Turkey sets five priorities for Council of Europe from Hurriyet Dailynews As Turkey takes the reins of one of Europe?s top institutions, the Council of Europe, for a six-month term, representatives outline five main focus areas for their work: reform, reducing workloads, fighting discrimination, empowering institutions and facilitating the EU?s decision to join the European … Read more
EU progress report criticizes pressure on Turkish press from Hurriyet Dailynews Even though there is increasing open and free debate over sensitive issues such as minority rights, press freedom is still a problem in Turkey, according to an advance copy of the European Commission?s annual report about the country. Other areas of concern in the … Read more
Europe, World – The Independent
“Merkel and Sarkozy unite to end Blair’s European dream
Former prime minister’s bid for EU presidency founders as continent’s most powerful leaders announce they would prefer candidate from smaller country